A dynamic group of Year 8 (age 12-13) students from Featherstone Technology College, Pontefract (1) will meet their MP John Trickett as they step up their efforts to get a fairer government policy towards asylum seekers. The students were inspired after meeting William Jidjou, an asylum seeker from Cameroon who spoke to their class on May 23rd. William’s story, and his experiences since coming to the UK galvanised the students into action and they have drafted ten letters to Mr Trickett, created posters (2), and one student, Alice Emery, has created a power point presentation to show Mr. Trickett.
Mr Trickett and William will meet the students on Monday 9th July at 11am, and are available for interview.(3)
William spoke to the children during one of their regular “Stop the Clock” sessions, part of the school’s ongoing citizenship programme, with a focus on global awareness and international issues. William fled persecution in Cameroon , where criticism of the Government led to him being imprisoned, beaten and tortured for several months.
In a letter to Mr Trickett Olivia Ager, 13, wrote
“I would like to point out that he only gets £41 a week and that is ridiculous. No one can live on that. No English people can so we can’t expect others to live on that. English aren’t millionaires but we as a whole country can give more money to people who really need it”
“……. I would like to say if I could be of any use I would do anything to help. If you decide to back up my letter please help people who actually come over here to work and to live a proper life so if I can be of any help just let me know.”
Mr Trickett MP said,
“ I am looking forward to meeting the students and listening to their concerns. I am delighted that as part of the school’s Citizenship programme young people are gaining an understanding of international issues and the social impact this has on each of us as global citizens“
William, a member of the RETAS (Refugee Education and Training Advisory Service) EASI (Empowering Asylum Seekers to Integrate) talks team said,
“ I am very surprised and touched that the children have responded in this way to my talk and the way they feel and share my story. The most important thing for me is to challenge the way people look at asylum seekers. Some people are very kind, but many, if you tell them you are an asylum seeker turn you away.”
“Despite the stress I am going through I want to help people understand an asylum seeker is a human being in a lot of difficulty and want and needs a safe place. I never chose to be in that situation, I am not here through choice. I’d like to thank the children for all their support and their campaign. I’m so impressed and touched.”
Charlotte Cooke, Refugee Council Head of Operations (Yorkshire and Humberside) said,
“It’s inspiring to see young people reacting in such a positive way to meeting an asylum seeker and hearing the truth about what people flee and what they experience when they come to Britain. When people meet a ‘real person’ and hear their story they realise people certainly don’t get it easy when they come here. They learn that it takes courage to be a refugee and that many of the people seeking our protection are survivors deserving of our respect. ”
“We think people who come here seeking protection should be allowed to work or given a decent level of support until they are granted refugee status or until they are able to safely return to their country of origin.”
ENDS
Notes to the editor
(1) Featherstone Technology College, Pontefract Road Purston Featherstone Pontefract West Yorkshire WF7 5AJ
(2) Messages from the students’ posters
“Refugees- give them a better life, give them more money. They only get £41 a week, which is wrong”
“Asylum seekers are good people. Remember that”
“Just Fair, What’s so wrong about treating people right?”
(3) William’s face cannot be shown, due to concerns for his safety and the safety of his family, but is happy to give interviews and take part in anonymised filming or photos. William Jidjou is an assumed name. It will be possible to freely film and photograph teachers, pupils, Mr Trickett MP and a spokesperson for the Refugee Council.
